1. Staff parties
HMRC allows an exemption of £150 for each employee each year for annual staff parties. You can read more about it in our Christmas blog here.
2. Pensions
For 2014/15, an employer you can pay up to £40k in an employee’s pension scheme and the employee can use carry forward to pay in even more.
3. Free/subsidised meals
As long as meals are available to all staff an employer can avail a tax-free benefit.
4. Childcare
An employer can pay up to £55 a week (£243 per month) in childcare vouchers which will be exempt from tax and NICs.
5. Mobile phone
An employer is allowed to provide each employee with one mobile phone free of tax and NICs without needing to report it on the P11d form.
6. Parking space
The provision of parking space at or near the employee’s place or work is a tax-free benefit provided it is available to all employees.
7. Sporting or recreational facilities
If an employer provides employees the use of sporting facilities or a gym membership, then the cost of providing these facilities can be treated as non-taxable. This is however subject to certain conditions.
8. Removals expenses and benefits
If an employee changes residence as a result of a transfer or start of a new job within the employer’s organisation, then the first £8,000 of removal expenses that qualify will be exempt from tax. This however needs to be reported on the P11d form.
9. Long service awards
If any of your employees is marking his/her 20th year of service you can present them with a monetary award without fear of income tax or National Insurance deductions.
10. Suggestion scheme
If you’ve formally set up a suggestion scheme, which is open to all employees, you can give up to £5000 tax-free for each suggestion that generates a real financial benefit for the company.
P11d forms have to be submitted to HMRC by 6th July this year, and if there are any outstanding Class 1A NICs employers must pay them by the 19th of July. However be careful, filing a P11d form is complex and there are a number benefits that are taxable. Please use this article for information purposes only and consult a professional before taking any action.
